AAR4546 - Emissions as Design Drivers - Design

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Assignment Grade: Letters

Evaluation form

Weighting

Duration

Examination aids

Grade deviation

Assignment

100/100

Course content

The key objective of the parallel design and theory courses (AAR4817 + AAR4546) is to link theory and design i.e. LEARN THROUGH DOING. The aim of both courses is to enable students to develop deep knowledge and learn how to integrate emission calculations to achieve energy positive and potentially net Zero Emission buildings (nZEBs) in a refurbishment and context. Achieving a net zero emission neighbourhood (ZEN) may be set as an additional requirement depending on the chosen context for the design project. The students will learn methods to analyse the key drivers that contribute to lowering energy and CO2eq emissions in order to achieve the net zero emission ambitions.

Course structure and content: The ZEB design and theory courses run in parallel comprising of thrice weekly sessions combining theory (lectures), workshop (use of tools) + studio guidance (design) sessions. These run on a weekly basis on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The design course (AAR4546) comprises of two tasks which run consecutively throughout the semester. The students begin by conducting one week intensive materials investigation to gain a deep understanding of the tectonic and sustainable qualities of the materials (Task 1). This is followed by a two week intensive Cultural Heritage module which involves documentation and mapping of the building condition and context on site(Task 2). The students are expected to build upon and develop the concepts learned in Task 1+2 in their main design project which will be of 10 week duration.

Typically, a 'live' and ongoing research project is used as the main design project which usually involves some aspect of integration with an existing neighbourhood or building. The students should use their design project to investigate how can we document what we gain (or lose?) by keeping/restoring the old building, compared to demolition and new-build in terms of cultural values, experienced qualities etc.?

1) Adaptive Reuse of the building with minimal insertion of new materials (maximise use of wood/biobased/ materials) 2) Demolition of existing building plus maximised reuse of existing materials i.e. brick , wood, industrial machinery etc 3) Demolition of existing building plus construction of new building using new materials 4) More LCA scenarios of different restoration alternatives. a) How to restore the building to manage new energy demands, while keeping the old outer facade? b) How the insulation then must be designed with regards to moisture? c) How can wood/biobased/other materials help to achieve better insulation values, indoor climate, ventilation etc.? 5) In addition to understanding existing buildings and renovation a) How to plan new buildings for flexibility and renovations? b) Study if/how old buildings are suitable for renovation at all?

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:  Understand how emissions act as a driver for design.  Develop architectural concepts and strategies through sustainable transformation to achieve an energy positive, and potentially, net zero emission building in a refurbishment context.  Create a net ZEB balance (CO2eq emission) between, the embodied emissions from materials and emissions from operation, with the avoided emissions from renewable energy system i.e. PV production.  Use of advanced software for emissions modeling (Simapro/Ecoinvent)with computer aided design (Rhino/BIM);  Interdisciplinary group cooperation

Tasks 1 + 2 should be presented using text, drawings of the existing building. Diagrams, illustrations and a table (with comments).

During the course of the semester, the students will be introduced to a modelling and calculation tools which then will be investigated further in a parallel workshops. The students will be introduced to a modelling task which they have to apply to their design project in AAR4546. The students will have a week to complete each task.

Compulsory assignments

Architectural design project

Further on evaluation

The students only have a right to complain on the overall grade for design project and report. For postponed evaluations based on project assignments a new or revised assignment in the course must be delivered within the deadline set by the course instructor.

Specific conditions

Exam registration requires that class registration is approved in the same semester. Compulsory activities from previous semester may be approved by the department.

Recommended previous knowledge

Completed three years basic courses in Architecture, Engineering or Urban Planning; Bachelor in Architecture, Engineering or Urban planning; or equivalent.

Required previous knowledge

Students taking this ZEB design course AAR4546, also need to take the ZEB theory course AAR4817 Emissions as Design Drivers. These courses are now part of the second semester of the MSc in Sustainable Architecture.